FAQs (frequently asked questions)

Answers straight from the top

Although we've tried to cover the most-asked questions, Firearms Registry
is far more comprehesive (although dauntingly so) on the legal issues.
Go here
to get the full poop.

As a newbie, can I just come to the range and try out to see if I like
it?

Yes, although the Law says we must have from you a completed Form P650
("Declaration -- Person shooting on an approved range or undertaking
a firearms safety training course"). If you can, get one here,
fill it in and bring it along with you when you come. Don't worry if you
don't manage to do that in time. We have some at the range and will help
you with its completion. The benefit of doing it ahead of time is so you
understand the implications of the six questions about your personal history
that might disqualify you from shooting activities.

If I want shooting as a sport, are there matches of some sort every
weekend?

At present, you would have to have an interest in both longarm-based
disciplines and pistol-based disciplines to enjoy all scheduled
shoots (see Timetable). If demand grows, thanks to your joining
along with other enthusiasts, we could well have many weekends with morning
and afternoon sessions to include both categories of firearm, possibly
with a barbeque lunch in between.

I'm a female. Will I be out of place at the range?

Not at all. Some of the world's best shooters are women. We would love
another potential Aussie female champ to be counted among our ranks.

I'm just a kid still. Can I come and shoot?

Even if you're only 12 you can, if you have written consent by a parent
or guardian, compete in shooting sports at our range under supervision
of one of our fully licensed trainers or instructors.

Can I have a six-shooter?

A pistol licence enables you to buy a revolver or semi-automatic (or
an air-powered pistol for that matter). There are disciplines shot at
Coolamatong for the first two. We have plans to include air-powered pistols
(also rifles) as demand dictates.

When can I buy a rifle?

We have an instructor on hand at the club most weekends who is registered
with the SSAA (Sporting Shooters Association of Australia) as one who
can train you to pass the Safe Firearms Handling examination, which qualifies
you to apply for a Category A and B licence. Upon gaining your licence,
you may apply for a Permit to Acquire from Firearms Registry. Then you
may buy your own choice of longarm from a licensed dealer.

I want to go hunting. Does joining Coolamatong Range help me with that?

If you want to book a hunt with the NSW Game Council to hunt in NSW state
forests, you will need to qualify for an R-licence as a Conservationist/Hunter.
We have an instructor to prepare you to sit the test and he will also
conduct the test at the range. You also will need to have nominated "H"
(for hunting) with the SSAA when submitting your membership application.
It is a requirement that you shoot at a range or take part in a club-organised
hunt twice a year to maintain your licence.

And if I only want to compete in target matches?

Target shooters (nominating "T" with their SSAA membership)
must shoot four times a year at the range in a club-organised activity.
You may, of course, nominate both "H" and "T".

When can I buy my own pistol?

After shooting at the range under a mentoring program for six months
you will qualify to apply for a Permit to Acquire. In the meantime, the
club will make available club pistols so that you can compete almost from
the very first day. It's a bit like going through P-plates for a driver.
You have to serve time as a probationary (a "probie") before
you can own and shoot your own pistol.

I like being active. Sitting punching holes in paper targets sounds
boring to me.

Then prepare for real challenges to your athletic abilities. Race against
the clock. Shoot targets that move. Hustle from one shooting position
to another, changing magazines as you go. Drop to your knee or on your
belly. Crouch under barriers or have to shoot around them. Do that firing
off as many as a hundred rounds in a day at around a shot a second (if
you want to be competitive) and you'll think you've played five sets of
tennis.

Can someone past playing active sports enjoy shooting sports?

Absolutely. We have wheelchair shooters in our sport who are crack shots
at disciplines such as benchrest rimfire and centrefire. Even these are
not lacking in excitement, with stages that impose time limitations, which
can be a real challenge equally for disabled and able-bodied competitors,
the old and the young, female and male.

You say it's not costly. How much?

Joining SSAA costs $73 and is required if you use the range for anything
more than sighting in a rifle or training. Joining Coolamatong branch
costs $50 (pensioner $30; extra family member $10). A day's shoot costs
you $10 ($15 if you're not a Coolamatong member and note that
visitors from other ranges are very welcome). Joining for
pistol adds $150 in annual dues, which we are working at eliminating.
Ammo costs extra, but we guarantee that if you start, you'll want to do
your own reloading, not just to save big time, but also because it is
a fun thing to do.